The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-11-25

"If only had piano"
Even as the wish rose almost uncon-
sciously u her lips, Essie Trowbridge
b.ushcd a deep crimson tint, and shy
eyes looked out half frightened from
under the long lashes.
a piano" :"
The depth Of sarcasm in John Trow-
britrc's voice justified the shrinking of
his .ittie daughter-in-law.
a plane Wouldn't Won like q dia-
mond necklace or 4 carriage with four
horses This Is one OF the results of a
pain farmer marrying fine lady"
Il was not fine lady when Henry
married me, only hard working dis
tr:Ct school teacher" said Fssie, "and
se was kind and good, and never snecrcd
a. me because l loved music and pict-
ures, and-ail the other pleasures |
Tad before my father died :"
well, there, there-don't cry" said
the Old man hastily. 81 did not mean
10 hurt your feelings. Harry was"
But there the father chokcd, too: for
was not Harry, his only child, the very
!do. OF his old heart, lying in the
Shurchyari. and the six months widow
sObuIng beside him?
She rose softly from her seat, and
crossing TO where her iather-in-law sat,
sal gently:
Il Wa not try you again by axtrava-
CANT desires. l know how good YOU arc
10 me, and 1 will try TO learn 10 be
better farmers girl!'
You are very good girl, q very good
Girl," WAS the reply, land II il only
natural you should banker for what
you We been brought up 10 having. But
T.anos costs hundreds OF dollars, and 1
.aSe none TO spare, ESsie. l can't get
round the farm rs Harry did, and | have
l.nI him In l.4pn IN llns, hot
things go crooked enough without him :"
EsSlc sighed, carcssing the snowy hair,
her shy, brown eyes iull OF trouble. She
knew that TIE farm was suffering for the
master head and eyes lying folded for
ever, AID she lOnged TO be OF some use TO
the father she had promised Harry 10
sovo and comfort.
But she was only twenty, city bred
and reared in luxury. Just one year she
taught Il district school after her father
died 4 bankrupt. Then Harry Trow-
bridge, the handsome, tender farmer,
who met her in the countrv-houscs
where she boarded round" told her his
love and won the sweet, pure hearts
affection.
Only few months after the wedding
when Essie was conquerins one by one
The difficulties of farm housekeeping
HAIRY fell from i hay-wagon and was
.ata.,y injured.
In the few hours of life granted him,
his one desire was TO keep his father
and his young vile together 10 love and
comfort each other.
you will give Essie a home when 1
am gone," he begged, when his father
Oent over him.
while ! have 4 roof TO cover me-"
was the answer.
"You will not leave my father utterly
childless? ?' he whispered, when Essie
put her cheek TO his to hide the tears
that would fall.
81 viii never leave him whilo nv
love is any comfort" she answered.
And in the first days of mourning
these two were an unutterable comfort
10 each other. But as time wore on
they found many rough places in this
hfe-contr1Ct each felt SO sOlemnly bind
ing. John Trowbridge had a profound
contempt for all womankInd who could
90: iii his own rough ideal. \ woman
70 could Churn, milk, cook, care for
poultry, keep house shining, wash and
iron, and keep in perfect, robust health
withal, was a woman after his own heart.
A starving mind, a hungry soul, were
problems he had never realized as ex-
listing.
Il irettcd him when ESsie, bravely
str v:n2 10 do the work so new in her eG-
rer.ence, would faint at her post. Ii
rolsed MS rough sarcasms when the day
closed upon duties unperformed, when
bread WAS heavy and cooking imperfect.
And Essie hoping against hope to
grow stronger. male herself miserable in
the supposIuOn that she was a useless
burden where she so earnestly desired 10
be 4 comfort and blessing. She stifed
her own craving for the books and re-
tiuements that had been second nature;
and yet she could not fill the place they
had occupied by interest In chickens
pigs and COWS.
1t added TO her perplexities to know
that the !arm had not paid its expenses
Ia the last year. Spring was still some
weeks away, and provisions were grow
Ing scarce, while ready money Was
dwiud.ing down to a pile aiariningly
small. She felt ike THE. when bak-
Eng proved uneatable, or dinner WAS
spoiled, and yet such disasters occurred
IN spite OF her conscientious efforts TO
avert them.
1t had been drcary day when her I'M
fortunate wish broke from her lips, and
been her life's delight took possession Of
her. Her penitence for the words was
very humble, and she put away the de
sire with many another longing.
But John Trowbridge, though he was
and often rough, had a
kind heart under the hard crust gathered
over II in ten years Of toll, poorly paid
The longing OF the shy brown eyes
haunted him.
u s'pose it is like telling the birds not
to sing TO shut her up here" he thought.
But to give her a piano. How in the
world"
Then n sudden thought almost took
away his breath. He got Hp from his
chair, and kissing ESsie, went TO the door
TO think 1t over. The young widow,
warned that it was nearly tea-time bv
the clock, sped 10 the kitchen, and did
not know when her father-in- law put on
Eis overcoat and hat and went down 10
the village
He came back with some great project
in every line of his rugged, sunbrown
face.
Tea was a success. The toast was
delicately Drowned, and the ham done to
n turn. When the meal was over the
o.d man said:
"Essie, do you remember the cross
you told me your father gave you for a
gift?"
MY diamond cross ="
you would not like to part with it7
Perhaps it is your only reminder of your
father >"
NO. l have many other of his gifts
Nothing so valuable rs that. The zen
i.cman who took charge of nv fathers
affairs told me | could keen ali his o,;f,a